Vivian Cummins:

1.      Will you work to reform the education system so that all children in your constituency can access publicly-funded schools which have no religious ethos? Yes

2. Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution?

I would need to consider this matter in greater detail and to get further advice on the potential implications.

3. Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence? No

4. Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos? Yes – if the hospitals are publicly funded.

5. If elected, would you vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation? YES

6. Do you believe that religions should have to pay their fair share of tax on income that does not come from charitable activities? YES

7.      If you wish to provide a brief general statements of your views on the future development of secularisation in Ireland, or to highlight any previous comments you have made on related issues, please do so.

Nothing further to add

In addition, see the statement provided by the Green Party on behalf of all its candidates.
Green Party statement

Paddy Kennedy:

I believe that everyone should have choice as to what school the should attend. I am Chairman of County Kildare V.E.C. and very involved in setting up multi-cultural schools. I work with people with many different beliefs and some with no religious beliefs what so ever. I respect everyone has a right to choose for themselves.
1. Will you work to reform the education system so that all children in your constituency can access publicly-funded schools which have no religious ethos? YES
2. Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution? YES
3. Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence? YES
4. Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos? YES
5. If elected, would you vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation? YES

6. Do you believe that religions should have to pay their fair share of tax on income that does not come from charitable activities? YES

Jason Turner:

See the statement provided by Sinn Fein on behalf of all its candidates.

Jack Wall:

See the statement provided by the Labour Party on behalf of all its candidates.

Martin Heydon:

See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.

No Response Received From:

Sean Power

Sean O’Fearghaill

Clifford Reid

Fine Gael statement

Green Party statement

Labour Party Statement